Researchers develop and test new Molecule as a delivery vehicle for image and Kill brain tumors

A single connection with double feature the possibility of a diagnostic and therapeutic agent may one day be used to improve the diagnosis, imaging and treatment of brain tumors, according to findings of Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech.

Glioblastomas are the most common and aggressive brain tumor in humans, with a high degree of relapse. Often these tumor cells reach the well-defined tumor margins making it extremely difficult for clinicians and radiologists to visualize with current imaging techniques. Researchers have examined the improved methods for the attacks of these cells to possibly slow down or prevent brain tumor relapse.

In a study published in the August issue of the journal radiology, the research team led by Panos Fatouros, Ph.d., a former Professor and Chair of the Division of Radiation Physics and biology in the VCU School of Medicine, who retired in 2010, demonstrated that a nanoparticle with a MRI diagnostic agent can effectively be image within the brain tumor and radiation therapy in an animal model.

The nanoparticle filled with gadolinium, a sensitive MRI contrast agent for imaging, and in combination with radioactive lutetium 177 to brachytherapy, is known as a theranostic agent a single connection at the same time, provide effective treatment and Imaging. The lutetium 177 is linked to the outside of the carbon cage of the nanoparticle.

"We believe the clustering properties of these nano platform extend the retention in the tumor, allowing a higher radiation dose to deliver locally," said Michael Shultz, Ph.d., a research fellow in Fatouros ' lab in the Department of Radiology in the VCU School of Medicine.

"This could potentially theranostic agent critical data on tumor response to therapy through longitudinal imaging without further contrast administration," said Fatouros.

A nanoparticle a functionalized metallofullerene (fMF), also known as a "buckyball," was coined by study employee, Harry Dorn, Ph.d., a professor of chemistry at Virginia Tech, and his team and served as the basis of this work. In 1999 could Dorn and his colleagues for the encapsulation of rare-earth metals in the hollow interior of these nanoparticles that can be easily recognized by MRI techniques.

"Although this is a limited animal study, it shows great promise and hopefully this metallofullerene platform will be extended to people," said Dorn.

Source: Virginia Commonwealth University